AP File PhotoWhether you like the draft pick or not, you know that Kyle Singler will give 100 percent every time he puts on a Pistons jersey.

AUBURN HILLS -- Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars didn't have to explain why he drafted Brandon Knight in the first round. It was obvious.

Even though the Pistons' most-pressing need was finding a frontcourt complement to last year's first-round draft pick Greg Monroe, the team had no other option than to select the talented point guard out of Kentucky when the top frontcourt prospects were all selected in the first seven picks.

Even though the Pistons already have guards Ben Gordon, Will Bynum and Rip Hamilton under contract, and are fully expected to re-sign restricted free agent Rodney Stuckey, Knight has the potential to be better than all of them.

Dumars was able to quickly list off the skills that made Knight an enticing addition, but he emphasized one.

"He has one of those incredible work ethics you hear about -- hours and hours and hours in the gym," Dumars said. "He’s totally dedicated. We feel he is the most high character guy in the draft."

With that quote, the theme of the night was born. The team's Vice President of Basketball Operations, Scott Perry, echoed Dumars' sentiments.

"The one thing I can say about Brandon Knight, there will probably be nobody in the gym putting in longer hours," said Perry.

When the Pistons drafted Kyle Singler in the second round, there was some head scratching. He wasn't the most talented player, definitely not the the most athletic, and a tweener forward probably wasn't tops on the Pistons' needs list.

What the Pistons liked about Singler was his intangibles. They liked his toughness, his competitiveness, his desire to win and his work ethic. In other words, they liked his character.

"Character was obviously of utmost importance to us," Perry said. "I think you win with character. That's what this organization has historically done."

Even new owner Tom Gores hit on the subject. Addressing fans at The Palace, Gores echoed sentiments he first shared during his introductory press conference.

"My vision first is that we have to win," Gores said. "That's the goal, but we have to win right. We have to do it in a way that the fans and the community are proud of us in what we deliver on the court and what we deliver to the community."

It's no secret the Pistons weren't the most cohesive group last season. A significant portion of the roster clashed with coach John Kuester, often publicly.

Tom Gores, Joe Dumars and the rest of the front office, made a statement with these draft picks, that the culture from last season won't be tolerated any longer.

Knight could be a future All-Star. At the very least, he projects to be a quality starter in the NBA. Singler will probably never be more than a role player. But what is clear is both players will put forth their best effort night in and night out.